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'Please don't shut our mosque over planning error'

Haider SaleemNorth West
BBC A man stands in front of the entrance to an office indoors. He has short-cropped black hair and a moustache and goatee. BBC
Jama Ibrahim is one of hundreds of worshippers at the centre

Worshippers at a Greater Manchester mosque have said they fear it could be shut down over a lack of correct planning permission.

Hundreds of people go to the Salford Islamic Community Centre, in Langworthy Road, which is being investigated by the city council over what the building can be used for.

It comes after a complaint that the building has been used as a mosque since 2017 despite only having permission to operate as a commercial premises. Imam Braima Balde said the centre was "where we come together to pray," adding: "I'm a little worried the mosque could close."

In an email to the landlord, who declined to comment, Salford City Council warned enforcement action could follow.

It said it discovered the mosque had not applied to change the use of the building before it opened in 2017 - and the premises were instead listed in its records as a shop.

Worshippers sit on the floor of the mosque to listen to the Imam during prayers
The council says the mosque must apply for a change of use

The mosque's architect told the BBC a change-of-use application had not yet been submitted but would be soon.

More than 400 people have signed a petition calling for the centre to remain open.

A group of worshippers holding pens and pieces of paper as they gather outside a red-brick building on an overcast day.
Hundreds of people have signed a petition to save the mosque

Balde said the mosque also provided Jummah and Nikah services, ran a madrassa for children, organised street-cleaning projects and had previously provided free meals for homeless people and neighbours.

Worshipper Jamal Ibrahim said the mosque played an important role for local families.

"Worship is very important to me, my children and my neighbours," he said.

"If the mosque closed, we would have to travel much further to pray, and that would be difficult, especially as I attend five times a day."

He said he had been attending the mosque for more than four years.

Supporters told the BBC other mosques in the area were not within walking distance and were already busy on Fridays, raising concerns that losing the site would put extra pressure on already stretched congregations and congested roads.

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